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Senators Seek Hearing for UCI Problems

Sens. Abel Maldonado (R-San Luis Obispo) and Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) on Tuesday called for a joint hearing of the Senate Education and Health committees to address problems at the University of California-Irvine Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Since November 2005, the hospital has disclosed problems in its liver, kidney and bone-marrow transplant programs, and its cardiologists' credentials have been questioned, among other issues.

In a letter to the committee chairs, Maldonado and Romero wrote that lawmakers should address "exceptions made in university policy, favoritism charges (and) lack of transparency and disclosure" at the hospital. According to the letter, "To date, no one has been held accountable for these repeated transgressions. Now is the time that (the) Senate show leadership and shine a bright light on UCI and its practices."

Senate Health Committee Chair Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) in a statement said that the problems at UCI "warrant a full investigation" and that she would seek a hearing. The office of Education Committee Chair Sen. Jack Scott (D-Pasadena) had no comment.

UCI spokesperson Susan Menning said the university has addressed problems at the medical center since the liver program closed (Berthelsen, Los Angeles Times, 5/3).

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